SOHAM mother Simone Marley has been given a 12-month supervision order after stealing more than £4,000 from pregnant women trading on the eBay internet site. Marley, 34, was also ordered to pay £900 in compensation to nine of her 12 victims who ordered hi

SOHAM mother Simone Marley has been given a 12-month supervision order after stealing more than £4,000 from pregnant women trading on the eBay internet site.

Marley, 34, was also ordered to pay £900 in compensation to nine of her 12 victims who ordered high-quality prams from her company Quality Flash Stuff.

Ely Magistrates heard how Marley ran her business from her home at The Causeway, advertising the prams on the internet auction site.

She used her young son's bank account to cash cheques but never delivered the goods.

Among her victims was a foster carer who sent a cheque for £392 to buy a pram for a child with special needs and a pregnant woman who lost out on a bid for a pram on the auction site but agreed a private sale with Marley, sending a cheque for £425.

Customers lost amounts ranging from £126 to £790 in a period of just over one month from June to August last year, the court heard.

Mother-of-two Marley, who now lives at Scaltback Close, Newmarket, admitted 12 charges of theft when she appeared before the court last month.

Mitigating, Jenny Turner told magistrates on Thursday: "This case is not only unique and remarkable but upsetting not only for the victims but also for Mrs Marley.

"These offences were not premeditated. She fully intended to fulfill these orders but became dishonest when she fell into difficulties.

"She felt that going into business would be the best way to raise money to support herself and her children. But when the money was paid into her account it was swallowed up by her other commitments. Everything got on top of her and she bottled it."

Chairman of the magistrates, Jane Lewin-Smith told Marley: "We have taken into account the fact that this was not premeditated, that you had intended to supply the goods and you have show a large amount of remorse."

Marley was ordered to pay £100 compensation to each of nine of her victims who had sent cheques over £200. She was also ordered to pay £125 costs and forfeit two lap-tops containing details of her company's transactions.